Thoughtful design and expert craftsmanship are key for these independent furniture makers.
Jomo
Ethiopian American artist and industrial designer Jomo Tariku creates modern African-themed furniture. His furniture includes a wide variety of artistic designs that synthesizes his own experience of the continent’s diverse culture. Pictured here, the Nyala Chair is inspired by the elusive mountain antelope from the Bale Mountains of East Africa, echoing the nyala’s distinctive soaring horns.
Ilé Ilà
Directly translated to “House of Lines,” Ilé Ilà was founded by Tosin Oshinowo in 2017. The brand’s period-conscious furniture is an homage to Oshinowo’s native Yoruba culture, and is handmade in Lagos Nigeria. Pictured: the Àdùnní collection, which means ‘daughter of the sweet one’ in Yoruba.
Studio Lani
Studio-Lani creates sculptural lighting and furniture pieces, that express an organic rhythm and a sense of visual harmony. The brand, founded and led by Lani Adeoye, has been creating pieces celebrating West African elegance since 2015.
Marie Burgos Collection
In her design projects for residential and commercial interiors, designer Marie Burgos emphasizes harmony, comfort and abundant style. This is also the approach that Marie has taken in developing the Marie Burgos Collection of carefully curated modern furniture, lighting, décor and art. Born and raised in Paris, Marie draws inspiration from both French design and her family’s native home of Martinique.
Paul Rene Furniture
Paul Jeffrey founded Paul Rene Furniture in Phoenix AZ, as a side business, building wood cabinetry out of a 14×14 storage shed. Today, his thriving business produces beautiful custom furniture and cabinetry. Paul has won multiple awards for his work, and was recently featured on Ellen DeGeneres’ “Next Great Designer” series, now streaming on HBOmax.
Oi Studio
A self-taught furniture designer and founder of Oi Studio, BOA spent the first few years of her design practice evangelizing an industry-wide shift to green design, at a time when it was difficult to find materials, manufacturers, or clients that were open to making a change. BOA’s design aesthetic is an intersection of her reverence for nature, minimalism, and fine craftsmanship.
Sabai
Based out of High Point, North Carolina, Sabai is dedicated to sustainable furnishings – a practice that they assert is rooted in Indigenous and Black communities. Beyond eco-friendly materials, Sabai also offers trade-in options, second-hand furniture purchases, and replacement components to ensure that your furniture lasts as long as you want it.
Norman Teague Design Studios
NTDS is a Chicago-based studio specializing in contemporary furniture design; perhaps most notably the Sinmi Stool, pictured above. Meaning “to relax” in Yoruba, Sinmi is “a rocking stool that instigates interaction and provides a momentary place to perch.” The original prototype currently lives in the Art Institute of Chicago as part of the Architecture & Design Gallery.
Ali Sandifer
This Detroit design studio with a penchant for mid-century-inspired furniture was founded in 2004 by Abir Ali, who curates the firm’s body of work, and Andre Sandifer, who specializes in the hand-fabrication of the designs. Their collection of made-to-order furniture includes tables, desks, and storage units crafted out of American hardwoods – walnut, maple, and oak – and finished with natural oils and wax.
Check back with aspire weekly for more Black-owned businesses to keep on your radar.
Like what you see? Get it first with a subscription to aspire design and home magazine.